Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters
Carefully, her emerald feline gaze watched the father and son, flicking briefly to Connor as he spoke. "Ah… yeah…excuse me," And with that, the other feral stood, hidden more from her view as he moved, and her eyes shifted automatically. She had spent 11 years living alone with her brother, had she acted more on learnt actions now, her eyes being cast over the water quietly for a moment. The water was calming to her, watching the moonlight dance from it.
"I mean… I went for a swim, and I…got stuck…but Racheal’s been sitting with me since and… are you ok?" It felt like a understatement in some ways, and she couldn’t help but wonder a little why he understated it. Though he did acknowledge her, which drew a slight smile to her lips as she nodded slightly in agreement with his… minimised turn of events. For a moment, it seemed that there was a stillness to the older man, one which made her hesitate. Her own feral instincts were no were near as enhanced as these two males, she could pick up on the mild things though. And this stillness reminded her so much of an animal, just as the panic in Connor had reminded her of her brother.. or of a terrified animal.
”Yeah I’m fine “ Those eyes told a different story, one which made her mind pause, silently as she watched the older man now. The intensity of the emotions that played through his eyes made them harder to read, though there was something frightening familiar in them. He had been worried, for someone precious.. someone he never wanted to loose, he wanted to protect. She wasn’t convinced it was just that, but she remembered that fear, every time Jake had been a little late home, then more so when he had vanished. That betrayal, that want to know the one thing that mattered to her was safe. How could someone else ever know how much that really hurt? And yet, there was something similar there.
“Of course I am , I just….” He was lying. Maybe not completely, but on a level. It really wasn’t hard to read, or to expect really. The feeling of awkwardness stuck with Feral, but at the same time, it was fading a little, calming to a curiosity in some respects. ” I guess I over reacted “ Now, on a level, that was more honest it seemed. Like he could recognise, through his worry and fear for his son, that that had been at least part of it. But that worry and fear was the true reason, and that was clear. So worried for his family. More worry than a father might feel normally? She wasn’t sure. She remembered her own father, vaguely, worrying over her a little when she fell. But this was different, stronger.
“Sorry. Maybe these last few days have made me a bit paranoid. I shouldn’t have come” No, he should have. She understood that. Though she felt a little strange that the apology was being directed at her. He hadn’t wronged her in anyway, except maybe to startle her. She was relaxed now, well, back to normal anyway, as she stood there, feline emerald gaze fixed on the older of the two males, more so as he continued.
“ Anyway, sorry. I won’t be disturbing the two of you anymore. But….. “ He had worried for his son, had wanted to know that he was in no danger. And considering the hints offered by Connor before about the trouble he got himself into, she could understand. So a small nod was given towards the apology.
“Thanks ” Again, she wasn’t sure why. Well, that wasn’t quite true, but she didn’t understand why he would feel so awkward about thanking her, and that much was clear to her in the elder’s voice. “for being there tonight I mean.. and for helping on the mission as well.” Oh. Racheal’s mind went blank for a moment before she blinked. Of course, if he had recognised her from the mission… That made more sense. As she stood there, she crossed her arms slowly. To anyone into human behaviour, it would look like she had just closed herself off from the others, to isolate herself. But that wasn’t actually the case..
” Sooo , don’t let me interrupt, I was just passing through” That brought another, slow blink. What? Erm. The feral girl’s mind sought desperately for something to make that sound less awkward, difficult. Was he trying to lighten the tone? He was right though, it sounded off at least. But she couldn’t blame him. She would have been the same.
Then, as a cool March breeze past them, her mind was pulled from the conversation briefly. That was cold. As they had spoken, goosebumps had covered her arms, her normally fairly cold resistant body giving in now, as she shivered a little and the reason for the crossed arms became clear as she subtly started to rub her arms, trying to regain some heat as she stood there, her jeans still pretty much soaked, not really drying well due to the denim material. Her hands moved so that most would never had noticed, that hatred for revealing weaknesses deep in her. There was a brief moment of silence, as the feral begun to pull her mind back to the conversation, trying to stop that small shiver that took her now.
”It’s okay…” She finally found the words, quiet, kind, her eyes passing to Connor now as if to seek confirmation for the words that followed, her bared toes curled slightly on the pier now from the cold. ”We were just about to finish anyway weren’t we?” She had hoped so, not for breaking contact with Connor, but just to be getting out of the cold which threatened to grip her now as she stood there, her now dry t-shirt offering no protection. ”Besides, Connor was just as much help to me, in away” She said slowly, in recognition for his quiet listening of part of her own tale.
”I was just going to say, Connor, that the reverse is true. I’m pretty easily found as well… either out here or in the library… or in the Exile dorms at a push” The morpher sighed a little. The Exiles. If someone had discovered she had been out on her first evening in the dorms, no doubt questions would be raised. And she could almost imagine someone like Max having some kind of comment for the feline girl’s disappearance.
”Speaking of which… I should be heading back anyway I suppose.” There was something almost defeated in her voice. She only went there to keep the peace, otherwise she would have just walked out. She intended to anyway, as soon as she had trained herself up enough. Personal training she didn’t mind, group training was a pre-decided pain.
Her eyes lifted to Logan again with a small nod, if a little awkward, not really sure as to what to say anymore. She could think of all those polite terms, like it being a pleasure to meet someone, but that was stupid. How could it be a pleasure until you knew them? No, after everything, Racheal wasn’t going to say something so seemingly stupid, but it meant she was lost for words, and her eyes moved slowly between father and son now. She put off saying bye as she stood there shivering, not really wanting to leave on a level, despite the seemingly awkward moment. She had be grateful for Connor’s company, and it made such a pleasant change from being near the Exiles, Feral didn’t feel quite ready to give that up yet.
"I was wrong, to think that I might belong. But I will never forget what I was... Who I am.. What I did, just to learn that"
"You know. I have this power. And yet.... I've yet to sneak in to a girl's changing room!"
Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters
”Yeah I’m fine” Was he? Connor wasn’t sure he believed his father, and yet wasn’t sure why Logan would lie about it either. Reflective blue eyes peered between Logan and Racheal, a glimmer of light catching the feral eyes which seemed to have their own radiant shimmer as long as even the slightest of lights touched his eyes.
“Of course I am , I just….” Maybe it was because Logan was… what? He could hardly be disappointed, and it wasn’t like Connor had been told he wasn’t allowed to stay out late, if he knew that there were cameras which had seen his earlier stress then he’d better understand the following statement. ”I guess I over reacted “ About what? Did Logan think Connor was taken again? That had to be it! Late at night, the long walk, Connor leaving little details other then ‘I’ll just going for a walk’, of course being gone for so long could warrant some worries. That was it, it had to be it, Connor inwardly agreed with himself and as Logan carried on it only seemed all the more realistic.
“Sorry. Maybe these last few days have made me a bit paranoid. I shouldn’t have come” But the paranoia was understandable! Why was Logan acting so… beaten? That was all Connor really gave himself to think though he felt the word was lacking something, he was sure there was a better terminology to use but right now he was getting a little worried over his father’s reactions. If Logan was worried, then having him come looking for Connor was really touching instead of knowing that despite Logan’s fears he just sat around hoping for the best. The blue eyes turned to stare at Racheal, almost for support in an attempt to see if she understood what all this was about, yet her own gaze was focused on his father, and the confusion in Connor’s heart wasn’t found in her eyes as strongly, though what little was there at least gave comfort to the boy who worried he may be missing a piece of information that was vital in order to understand what was going on.
“ Anyway, sorry. I won’t be disturbing the two of you anymore. But….. “ What? Connor turned his eyes to his father quickly as the elder man seemed to prepare to withdraw, Connor didn’t want him to leave! Not on that note definitely, sure there would times he wants his personal space but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t welcome his father’s unexpected drop ins, there were good times and bad times to be interrupted and this was definitely one of the better times!
“Thanks” So sincere! So awkward, Connor was really getting lost, he felt like he had been the one to walk in on something, and as the appreciation continued Connor felt a little more confused then even before. “for being there tonight I mean.. and for helping on the mission as well.” Where was she tonight? Or did he mean for her being here with Connor? And what mission? Connor looked between the two again, something clicked on Racheal’s face and yet… what were they discussing? Some frustration seeped in a little, Connor wondering if it would have made more sense had he still had his memories or if they were talking about something even the recovery of his memories wouldn’t help him translate. Arms moved and Connor glanced back at Racheal after he stared at his face’s face for a long moment thoughtfully, the darkness did nothing to blind Connor to the fact Racheal’s skin was riddled in goosebumps and he sympathised with her as he too felt the bite of the chilly breeze.
”Sooo , don’t let me interrupt, I was just passing through” Ok, now Connor was really knocked speechless, his dad was acting so… strange… and Connor wasn’t sure if it was solely because he was worried or if perhaps something unexpected had caught Logan off guard… Maybe Connor sitting out on the pier half undressed with another girl? That would catch Connor off guard, of that he was pretty sure, he’d just naturally assume something was up if it had been his sisters or some other duo, and he had assumed his father may think the same thing so maybe Logan had! The thought caused a slightly amused though shy response from Connor as the boy shifted on his bare feet, as he did so the eldest Enright noticed Racheal’s feeble attempts to also warm up and Connor was about to suggest they head in, only to be stopped as Racheal began it speak.
”It’s okay…” The poor thing looked so cold! If Connor had worn a jacket he’d have passed it over to her by now, and if things weren’t so awkward, he’d even consider drawing closer to her… though he was far too shy to attempt something so bold, even if it was merely to offer some body warmth and no hidden agenda behind it. So many things that seemed obvious and pointless yet Connor felt he had to state to someone, and if Racheal hadn’t been there he’d have blurted them to his dad… she has strange eyes, like he has strange eyes! She’s so familiar in some ways! She lost family just like him!
Granted he only lost his mother… though technically he lost his mother and before that her entire family when they turned their backs on Michelle and her husband and children… That had hurt, mainly because as children the kids didn’t understand why the scarce family get togethers always seemed so cold or why people seemed to so easily over look them or stare at times. As Connor hit seven though Michelle refused to take part in more family functions, and since it had been over a fight Connor had initiated, he sometimes found himself blaming his own temper for yet another thing that effected the family as a whole. Even if Michelle had assured him otherwise, but a cousin teasing Arisa to a point of tears was more then enough to send Connor brawling with the boys and as soon as Connor got hit hard Madison was there in her fury, the six year old pummelling down a boy three years older who tried to tag team her older brother.
Such memories were reminders to Connor though, how much trouble as children they all were, and yet regardless how Michelle and Logan had stood beside them, telling them off when needed and yet still helping build them up again after. How in a fix his sister would be there, and how cruel people could be over the smallest of things. He took the negatives and the positives, and every memory was priceless, and yet for now locked so far away in their vault and for now he had forgotten the password, so they remained out of his reach.
”We were just about to finish anyway weren’t we?” Connor’s attention seemed to have drifted off to the trees off ahead of him, thinking over his fathers reactions, his body drifted a little closer to his dad, not wanting him to walk off and yet not ready to just blurt out for him to stay while Rachael and Logan were talking. At her voice Connor slowly looked back at her, momentarily staring as he recalled the words she had said and then smiling slightly as he nodded, a ‘yeah’ very quietly agreed to her comment. ”Besides, Connor was just as much help to me, in away” A proud smile graced Connor’s lips at her praise, and he looked at his father briefly, just to catch a peek at if his father’s mood may lighten to know Connor had helped someone, even if just slightly! Personally it took Connor a little by surprise and he really appreciated the comment, he could say with certainty that he didn’t remember anyone praising him for sitting with them talking before! Chris praised him… and his family occasionally said things the last few days, but it was always different to come from people you just met!
”I was just going to say, Connor, that the reverse is true. I’m pretty easily found as well… either out here or in the library… or in the Exile dorms at a push” There was a nod in understanding as Connor took note of the places, and as Connor already talked about the dorms with his Uncle Remy it meant that Connor was already up to date on the teams, and what Remy didn’t discuss with Connor Madison had helped fill in. Though, Racheal didn’t seem so thrilled with her final comment and Connor wondered why, he looked forward to getting involved with his team and yet he wasn’t sure he’d cope just yet, which is why he happily agreed to staying in the family apartment for now.
”Speaking of which… I should be heading back anyway I suppose.” Good things always had to end, and Connor didn’t want to push his luck with this meeting, at least he made a new acquaintance that he may on time soon call a friend if they continued to click as they had tonight. For a moment Connor was sympathetic again, but this time because he knew she didn’t have a parent like he had to go back to for comfort when she was down, and that was sad to think about, he could understand that replacements may come and go but try as they might no one and nothing could take the part of his real parents, his real home, his real friends and comforts. But at least she had friends and a place, that wasn’t as much as what Connor had but she had her memories and that must make this place seem a whole lot more friendlier then it felt to Connor, who was intimidated by the size and population of students within its walls.
"Yeah…" Another soft and thoughtful nod of his head came as Connor pondered some things, being 5”9 gave Connor some height on his father, which seemed strange though Logan was far more muscular then Connor, at least in bulk, as Logan’s son had fine tones even in his early teens due to the healthy genes. But even with all the obvious differences, there were still just as many similarities and as an arm rested over Logan’s shoulders and Connor’s clean shaven features drew closer to his father’s stubble ridden face, bright blue eyes of Connor’s contrasting the darker brown of the elder man. And yet still, striking as the contrasts became, still similarities marked their features, the same mouth, same nose, same facial structure… A playful grin crossed Connor’s lips as a mischievous spark hit his eyes though, drawing his dad closer to him in a teasing manner.
"I should go tuck this guy in bed," It sounded like he need some rest, the joking aside! "I have my first day of school the day after tomorrow… he’s got to be up nice and early to press my clothes and prepare my lunchbox, spend the rest of the day playing baseball and then mentally prepare himself for a whole day without me pestering him for more food." There was a hopeful pause (which included a grin that formed) in which Connor loosened his arm from its hold on his father, "Are the team dorms in the same relative direction of our apartment dad? Then we can walk together." Just because Connor acted as if he was ok never meant that was the case, which was more often true then not, though Connor was just as excited as he was scared of returning to classes and here and now he was both thrilled to see his dad and curious as to why his dad seemed so taken back and kicked down… as long as they left the lack Connor would be happy and if he got to walk a little longer with Racheal then it was all good, he didn’t mind making a friend before he was thrown into a sea of unfamiliarity.
Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters
She was cold, this girl who had come to Connors rescue, her clothes still wet from their unexpected dip in the lake. ”It’s okay…” the Rachael said , her voice friendly echoing the kindness he saw in the look she gave his son. ”We were just about to finish anyway weren’t we?” Whether that was strictly true or not Logan couldn’t tell but just by saying it she had eased some of the awkwardness out of the moment and for that he was grateful. ”Besides, Connor was just as much help to me, in a way” she went on her words kindling a proud happiness on the young mutant’s face that Wolverine hadn’t seen for a long time.
Just looking at it made Logan feel better, as if his interruption hadn’t spoiled everything after all! For he had caught the possibility of friendship hanging in the air between these two he was sure, and he would have hated for it to have been lost simply because he had barged in. Though that didn’t seem to be the case! At least not as far as Rachael was concerned anyway. ”I was just going to say, Connor, that the reverse is true. I’m pretty easily found as well… either out here or in the library… or in the Exile dorms at a push”
It was as ready an invitation to come calling as any Logan had heard, and he couldn’t help but smile. Any bond Connor could make here at the Institute was a step towards pulling his shattered life back together again. And if that bond just happened to be with a kind and attractive young feral then he was sure his son would be all the happier for it.
Wolverine hadn’t missed the slight change in Rachael’s tone when she spoke of her team though. Nor did he doubt for a second why it was there. The Exiles! Yeah he could well believe that dorm was a whole heap of fun. He gave Rachael a sympathetic glance. He’d have gone crazy if they’d brought in the whole team dorms idea when he had come to the Institute.* Yeah Me Jean and Scott all crammed together in one small space…….light blue touchpaper and stand well back because that would have been one hell of an explosive mixture!*
"Yeah…" Connor answered He had come closer to his father as Rachael spoke though Logan had thought nothing of it. But now……There was a warm hand on his shoulder and a smiling face looking into his. Wolverine blinked in surprise, his body automatically tensing beneath the unexpected contact. "I should go tuck this guy in bed," Logan heard the words…… he just didn’t believe it. Connor didn’t do things like this, say things like this, not to him anyway.
Before his abduction there had always been that hateful distance between them bridged only by accusations and anger. And since he had got back there had been the gulf of lost memories keeping them apart, making him a stranger to his own son. But this acknowledgement and affection. It caught Logan’s breath in his throat as his son pulled him close, the simple action cutting through all his careful defences as easily as his own claws passed through flesh leaving him lost and vulnerable as only those you love truly can.
Seemingly unaware of the effect he was having on his father Connor went on happily "I have my first day of school the day after tomorrow… he’s got to be up nice and early to press my clothes and prepare my lunchbox, spend the rest of the day playing baseball and then mentally prepare himself for a whole day without me pestering him for more food."
It sounded funny, like some private family joke. Except they didn’t have any of those either did they? And it was at least partially true or had been till they had all moved out. Ok there hadn’t been any baseball for some years now but otherwise yes. He had fed and clothed them, helped them with homework where he could, cleaned up after the messy ones, worried about the one who was all too tidy….. that was what parents did……especially single parents. Like him. But it had never been said, not even in jest. It was just taken for granted, all the times when he was there, only the times when he wasn’t being etched into his children’s minds. Into Connors mind! Till Amlarie had wiped it!
*This will end when his memories come back* Logan told himself. *Shit he’ll probably loathe me worse than ever for not telling him how things were between us before.* There was no doubt that Wolverine hated the mysterious woman who had taken it upon herself to meddle in Connors life. No doubt that he would have risked everything to get his sons memories back. But, god, just for one moment it was good to be, to be held like that, to be wanted, to be loved. Then he was released though Connor was still smiling at him as he said "Are the team dorms in the same relative direction of our apartment dad? Then we can walk together."
“ Sure” Logan said a little shakily, focusing now on the immediate situation and the shivering girl in front of him. “In fact…. If you like.. you can come and dry off at the apartment” he told Racheal “ Maybe have a hot drink to warm you up?” The offer was sincere as was the still slightly shy smile that accompanied it.” That way at least you’ll know where to track us down when you come to visit.”
There's just somethin' wild inside me pullin' me to do things I don't understand.
I can't figure it. It's like tryin' to explai
Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters
It was getting cold. At least, it felt like that to the female feral, her fingers moving in small, feeble attempts to warm herself without revealing so obviously just how cold she was. Her eyes flicked between the pair slowly, father and son. So alike and yet so different as well. Connor was the taller, but with Logan’s build, he felt the smaller. It was how it was, there was something more… intimidating about the older’s presence, though she didn’t feel intimidated whatsoever. Despite a slight jealousy that threatened to spark briefly, a silent want for that she had lost such a long time ago, she could see before her a worried father. How could that be intimidating? Even as he began to seemingly relax from her words. And the sympathetic glance from the elder wasn’t missed, nor the confusion in Connor’s eyes. Well, the younger male would probably soon discover that the ‘Exiles’ lived up to their name. Logan already knew that obviously.
"Yeah…" A smile graced the lips of Feral, glad to not be wrong in her assumption. At the time it seemed their accidental meeting was drawing to a close. If anything, she was grateful to Logan for turning up really. She had gained company for a little longer. She had enjoyed Connor’s company, even if it was just feeling, for a moment, like she had a purpose. Just watching him calm down, seeing the familiar thought process as he did. There was something.. comfy, homely about knowing she had helped. And she would regret loosing that when she left. When. There was little doubt in Racheal’s mind about that. No Ifs.
"I should go tuck this guy in bed," Racheal blinked slowly at his words. That didn’t make much sense in her mind, surely those were the words that should be said by the father, not the son. She listened quietly, watching the pair, the interaction. "I have my first day of school the day after tomorrow… he’s got to be up nice and early to press my clothes and prepare my lunchbox, spend the rest of the day playing baseball and then mentally prepare himself for a whole day without me pestering him for more food."[/n] Slowly, a smile came back to her features. As cold as it was, there was an inner warmth at seeing that. Family. That was how things should be. Of course, she didn’t know how things had been before. But that knowledge would have merely made this scene seem sweeter.
"Are the team dorms in the same relative direction of our apartment dad? Then we can walk togeth Like Connor, her eyes turned to the older male, waiting for the response. That would be nice, she admitted silently, her bare feet shifting slightly on the rough wooden pier, her toes curled slightly at the chill which gripped her for a moment. It would be nice, yes, to walk back with some friendly company before facing the cold shoulders of her team mates. Some colder than others. Racheal was slowly beginning to enjoy company, in the past week, and part of her was even seeking it now, despite her promise to herself.
“Sure” Almost as if he was answering two young children, at least that’s how it was to her, and a smile played on her lips once more. Two youths silently holding their own pleas for a positive answer, and it was one which they managed to gain. “In fact…. If you like.. you can come and dry off at the apartment” Oh, she couldn’t help but wonder if he realised just how nice that sounded! Although her t-shirt was almost completely dry, the tips of her hair were still damp and her jeans were soaked. And the idea of putting on those socks and trainers weren’t overly appealing. The shoes might have been dry, but she was sure the socks were still wet, a brief glance down confirming their visibly damp status still.
”Maybe have a hot drink to warm you up?” Those words… it was like heaven. Get dried, warm up. Her gaze lowered for a moment, bough the only reason was a shiver that was sent down her spine as a clod breeze worked past them, her hands moving a little more on those goose-pimpled arms, trying to create enough friction to get some warmth.
”That way at least you’ll know where to track us down when you come to visit.” Her eyes lifted to the duo once more, smiling a little and nodding slowly. The idea of visiting the apartment didn’t even come to mind really as she listened. Of course, she’d like to talk to Connor again. But what were the chances of her going to his apartment to see him?
Still, there was a more than tempting off there. Get dry. Get warm. Right now both where more than welcome as options as to what to do next. More than that, it gave her some time free from the Exiles. Logan was one of the teachers, she noted if she remembered rightly. Who would challenge why she was away if she was with a teacher? It seemed like a good deal. Though that was the second thought on her mind at least. More time with Connor as well, getting to know him while he was smiling. That would be better.
”That…” She admitted slowly. ”Would be nice” There was a gentle smile on her face as she nodded, shivering a little still as she stood her, her emerald gaze holding that quiet gratitude, moving that gaze between the two males, nodding slowly. She realised already that they could probably see how cold she was. It was harder to tell with the older, but Connor’s gaze seemed to be brighter than her own, more capable to see within the darkness which surrounded them. And if his eyes were like that, surely they were just as keen. She couldn’t find any other words right then to offer, and she didn’t want to make the first move, even as she stood there shivering. At least, not until a sudden craving came to mind, the idea of a hot drink. Slowly, her gaze became more thoughtful, and an almost playful smile found her features. ”That is.. if that hot drink could possibly be hot chocolate” It was almost a plea. During the lonesome winters, hot chocolate had been her ultimate treat. And she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had it.
Hannah: "In this world we're forced to make choices everyday. We don't always know the consequences. But it's how we react to them which makes us who we are"
Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters
“ Sure” Odd, Connor was sure he had noticed something uneven about his father’s tone, something that seemed almost weak, not that Connor could look at Logan and even think him weak, the fierce eyes and toned form was a reminder that not everyone saw the affectionate father that Chris and Connor had witnessed over the last few days. “In fact…. If you like.. you can come and dry off at the apartment” Their apartment?! Connor was both thrilled and nervous, and for silly reasons too. What if the place wasn’t clean? He was pretty sure it was… it seemed in order when he left but he always preferred knowing things were perfect when guests were coming. Though that wasn’t even half of the reason, there was also anxiety about having a friend over, not that he’d really run around saying he and Racheal were best of buddies just because of their recent moments together but he could definitely sense the foundations of friendship had been laid out.
“Maybe have a hot drink to warm you up?” It wasn’t an invite to some sort of date, but Connor still felt excited, and confused, a little unsure, why was his father inviting her over? Maybe he saw Connor staring… wait no, Connor hadn’t really… well… there was in the water, his dad wasn’t around then though and it wasn’t like Connor was really staring at her. Ok, so maybe he was but not full on, there was a difference, he wasn’t intentionally staring when he had stared and he didn’t stand there gapping like an idiot. Maybe he was staring and he didn’t realize it? Connor blinked slightly, and although feeling a slight wave of awkwardness hit him he looked more caught up in the wait for a response from Racheal. ”That way at least you’ll know where to track us down when you come to visit.” Visit? The apartment? It’d be nice to have people visit there to see him, it’d make him feel as if he really did belong there once again, he’d rather like having visitors, people there to see him and no one else.
The blazing blue eyes watched the small curves of Racheal’s lips as she smiled her little smile, Connor returned it even if the nights darkness was only partially lit from the overhead moon. His first friend over, it was important and Connor felt the swell of energy bubble away inside, even as his eyes got distracted by the soft sound of the lakes water. It wasn’t like Connor expected things to start rising from their water graves but the shiver that run his spine was not due to the cold, he wasn’t sure what scared him so much but he knew he’d not want to come back here any time soon. There was something about the water, if it was this lake or the water in general but Connor could feel that he would easily freak out again if left on his own out here.
Timid eyes turned downcast to Connor’s bare knuckles, staring at the back of his hands as the feral recalled the almost equally terrifying unveiling of his claws… if there was any slither of doubt about being Logan’s son it was now obliterated. It wasn’t like Connor was a child anymore, he wasn’t of the age that could just curl up in his father’s arms and hide… at least that’s what was being screamed inside of Connor. The only problem was that Logans son had developed that attitude from a very young age, just a trait of the child that felt he was older then he really was and with age comes emotional restrictions, just like learning to control ones temper one must learn to control both their fear, lusts and any other strong emotion.
”That…” The swirl of thoughts were gradually tossed aside as Racheal continued to speak, her voice holding more importance then the previous sensations of fear and confusion, that could be dwelled on later, when he was alone, till then, he’d much rather enjoy the company of both his father and the very… words currently eluded Connor when wanting to describe Racheal but he knew he found the female feral rather pleasing. ”Would be nice” A grin spread happily over the features of Logan’s son, all the anticipation of what she would say finally springing out with excitement at the good news, though just because it’d be nice didn’t mean she was saying yes, and Connor didn’t want to scare her off by looking over eager, if anything his newly acquired friend seemed more on the calmer and tamed side of things… When the grin diminished there was something of a mischievous smile still tugging in the corners of his mouth. Something inside told Connor that once you peel back the layers Racheal wasn’t as tamed as she could give the impression of being, part of him wouldn’t mind seeing her cut loose. Though the thinking caused Connor to pause as he wondered if that was solely random curiosity that drove his impish thoughts, or if his interest was more genuine.
There had always been this trepidation towards girls as far as Connor was concerned, he could happily befriend them but the instant either they or himself started showing interest was usually the time that Connor got a little distant. Being with Sarah had only helped form another negative coat over the idea of dating and yet at the same time there were moments that were really nice and with the right person those moments might outweigh the lesser ones. The problem was, how do you know what counts as a proper relationship if you’ve never had one or never even seen one in motion with someone else?
"That is.. if that hot drink could possibly be hot chocolate" Drawn out of his thoughts, the younger male feral offered an almost sheepish grin as he replied. "No one makes hot chocolate as nicely as dad," Well there was his father’s hot coco and the café’s hot coco being the only chocolate drinks Connor remembered having, aside from the hot chocolates he had made himself back at Amlarie once or twice. And personally Connor preferred his father’s, but if that was entirely because of the drink or the fact that the taste was only better because it was the father who had made it, Connor never really thought about that. Then again Logan learned to cater to his children’s tastes, all of who had varying degrees of enhanced senses which included taste and too much of one thing or another could easily turn the kids off the overpowering drink.
Having taken off his shoes before getting wet meant that Connor’s socks and footwear were still dry, which was good because Connor wasn’t one to get himself dirty and walking around the damp grassy area towards the school would have been awkward for him, even more so if his feet were dirty when arriving to the doors… He’d have had trouble walking along the floors leaving prints, regardless of how near on unseen such prints could be once the feet were attempted to be wiped on the doormat. Instead he managed to slip on his socks and shoes, his hands often petting down the shirt to make sure it was straight.
With an uncomfortable glance out at the lake again, Connor took in a slow breath, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know why he was so scared of… whatever it was he was scared off, things had been ok in the water for a little while. When he stared swimming underwater that’s when things went wrong, but he was safe now, thanks to Racheal… and with Logan here, well how much more safe could Connor be? The thumb of Connor’s right hand rubbed across the knuckles of his left while the young man turned his eyes back to his dad with an awkward looking few steps that drew the son towards his father, getting off this pier would be the first step of getting away from this stupid lake and that was definitely a cause of action Connor was eager to take.
Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters“That would be nice.” The kids were smiling again and that was all good as far as Logan was concerned, and if Rachael’s smile reflected a certain wistful anticipation, there was definitely something resembling excitement in the grin his son now wore. Now was that just the idea of having a friend round to visit or was there perhaps something else? Wolverine wondered suddenly. Ok this was Connor they were taking about but still…. Rachael was a good looking girl and the fact that she had recently been emerged in a lake did nothing to detract from that fact. Far from it! Plus the fact that she was a feral……
Girlfriends weren’t something that had really come up before now as far as Connor was concerned. A fact that Logan had worried about during more than one long sleepless night, wondering if the lack of a mother and his own lamentable failings where relationships with women were concerned had somehow contributed to the fact that an undoubtedly attractive and considerate young man somehow shied away from anything that looked like romance. Till Amlarie had intervened that was.
And that grated worse than claws against bone. The fact that she had convinced his son that he was in a relationship! That she had tricked him into sharing something that for Connor should have been very special with someone who in the end was little more than a stranger. And who unlike Chris seemed to feel no lasting affection for Connor. Although the whole Sarah business wasn’t a subject that either of them felt comfortable talking about! Indeed anything Logan had learned about the matter was based on what he had sensed that first day in the mall and the few unguarded comments that Chris had let slip, but it was more than enough to let him piece the picture together and it wasn’t one that pleased him. But then again there was nothing about the entire Amlarie episode that did. She had come and she had meddled in what didn’t concern her and now he and Connor were left standing in the ruins, trying to pick up the piece. And god alone knew it wasn’t easy.
But sometimes, like now, they got a break. "That is.. if that hot drink could possibly be hot chocolate" Logan’s own face brightened at her words. Here at least was something he could do and do well. He didn’t get a chance to say so though before Connor cut in "No one makes hot chocolate as nicely as dad,"
The words caught him by surprise but warmed him none the less They spoke of an acceptance he had never thought to gain, though he had often hoped for it. Logan looked on fondly as his son quickly put on his shoes and socks not even realising that he had forgotten to answer Rachael until Connor stood once more, smoothing down his shirt in the all too familiar gesture. Then as it so often did Logan’s gaze clouded with concern as he caught the flicker of fear in Connor’s eyes.
Water! Not something Connor was ever going to be comfortable with. Not after what had been done to him. Of course they though he didn’t know. Connor and Madison! What they had gone through when the adamantium had been bonded to their bones. Whereas if they had only stopped and thought for a moment they would have realised how impossible that was! Whatever they had endured he had gone through it a hundred fold. After all, he had been the prototype.
What had taken a day for them had taken months for him and though weapon X had taken great pains to erase the rest of his memories, for some obscure reason those ones remained terribly intact. Was it cruelty? Did they think they would break his spirit? Somehow make him more easily controlled? Or did they just not realise that he had been conscious all the time they had experimented on him? Yeah he sooo believed that! No he was all too sure they had at least thought that they knew what they were doing. He was only glad that somewhere along the line he had been able to prove them wrong.
Though he hadn’t been able to keep the same thing from happening to his children! How had that happened? He still didn’t know. It had come out of the blue and yet it had been something he had always feared. Had he got complaisant? Maybe! Probably. So many years had gone by. Years of what had passed for peace. Even Michelle’s death hadn’t been because of Weapon X. Though that didn’t mean that it hadn’t been his fault! And afterwards, forcing himself to go through the motions for the kid’s sake, until his heart had finally kicked back into action and he had found the force to go on, instead of just laying down to die.
That had made him overprotective, though he had tried so hard to fight against it. There had been times he hadn’t even wanted to let them out of his sight. Especially Arisa, with her mutation so obvious and so obviously his fault! A sin he had committed and whose results she was forced to bear. And so subconsciously knowing what he was doing, how he could so easily have stifled them in their growth as he himself had been stifled in the past, though not for the same reasons, he had forced himself back. Made himself give in to his conditioned reactions and hold back, at least apparently, on an emotional level. And in doing so he had let the awkwardness and the guilt he felt each and every day install itself between them until it became in its way as big an obstacle to their development as the very thing he had tried to avoid.
He had tried to give them room to grow, free of his legacy, but he had only succeeded in becoming absent. And like it or not, what he had passed down to them was still there. Claws! Agelessness! The eyes of the unscrupulous and uncaring incessantly turned towards them, looking to use and exploit. As they had used and exploited Connor!
With a start Logan drew himself back, unable to hide, as he had always envied Scot for being capable of doing, his emotion, but able none the less to conceal it behind another just as sincerely felt. And maybe just for once, here and now, if some of his regret and understanding seeped through then perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing. In any case there was nothing more he could do except help his son off the offending pier and offer sincere words to the girl who had saved him from one of his greatest fears.
“Well, don’t let Hank hear you say that. He’s the one who taught me after all but…” He meant what he said and it showed “I’m sure we could rustle you up a cup or two. And you’d be more than welcome.”
There's just somethin' wild inside me pullin' me to do things I don't understand.
I can't figure it. It's like tryin' to explai
Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters "No one makes hot chocolate as nicely as dad," The words came swiftly but calmly, and the female feral smiled at the words, actually giving a soft chuckle. Considering she’d only really had cheap machine hot chocolate, often from the local fast food restaurant, anything actually ‘made’ would be an improvement. Her toes curled slowly against the cold, damp wood at the thought of hot chocolate. She had seen those adverts, or smelt them from the more expensive shops, they smelled so delicious, looked so creamy. It was like heaven in a cup for the feline, and she was starting to wonder why she hadn’t had one sooner since entering the institute.
Racheal watched silently as Connor placed his shoes and socks on, and silently wished she’d had the mind to take her own socks off. At least she’d taken her shoes off, but she didn’t even need to look at her own socks to know they were still wet, and the thought of putting them on was cringe worthy. At least her shoes were dry though. But even so, hardly comfortable without socks, especially as they were pretty worn out really. Oh well, she figured silently, she’d think of something, even if it was putting up with the uncomfortable feeling.
Of course, she never stared. That was against her feline instincts really. The last thing you did with those who weren’t a threat was stare. Though the steps the younger male took towards his father wasn’t exactly hard to miss, nor was that glance back. Of course, there was a curiosity. Why was he so afraid of the water? But then, the dark haired girl wasn’t going to ask. Firstly because of Connor’s own lack of memories. Secondly, she may have shared her own fear with him, if indirectly, but it wasn’t something she wanted advertised, and she guessed he would be the same.
“Well, don’t let Hank hear you say that. He’s the one who taught me after all but…” The older’s voice drew her gaze back to him, her eyes reflective, like those of her felines, in the night, and a slight tilt of her head was given. Hank… she knew that name. And she almost kicked herself when she remembered it. Of course, that hadn’t been how the doctor had introduced himself, but it hadn’t taken too much for her to catch his first name. A smile came to her features at the idea. After the incident with the cake, she could easily imagine Dr McCoy being good with things like hot chocolate. Of course, he hadn’t made the cake himself, but she had always imagined the caring ones to be good with things like that, so, in a strange way, it made sense.
“I’m sure we could rustle you up a cup or two. And you’d be more than welcome.” More than one cup? Now that… was more than she could ask for really, and she nodded, her eyes soft, grateful. Again, she felt somewhat stumped as for what to say, to do. Although he didn’t make it painfully clear, it wasn’t hard to tell that Connor would be happier away from the lake, and Feral was still shivering, and she would have been much happier inside. Hands rubbed her arms still as she hugged herself, nodding slowly.
”Thank you” She said slowly, nodding slowly still. ”I’d like that a lot” The feral smiled, though a glance was cast down to her socks, before, with some resentment, she picked up the offending damp.. no, wet, socks, then slipping her trainers on swiftly, so they were loose enough to be comfortable, yet tight enough not to fall off. Okay, so she was stuck carrying the socks, but that was better than nothing. Warm and dry. That would be the best thing right now.
A soft tickle at the back of her nasals almost teased the feline morpher into a sneeze, but she held it back. She refused to get ill. Down right refused. Not just as she was healing up enough to train finally. That brought thoughts racing back which she was hoping to ignore for now. She didn’t want to leave on a level. She was developing bonds to people finally. It had taken three months but she was finally starting to feel like she might belong. But no. She didn’t belong here. And as stubborn as only a feline could be, she wouldn’t ignore her plan. But those treacherous thoughts were pushed as well as the female feral looked to the father and son, nodding slowly with a smile. ”Though… if we’re going can we go now?” She said slowly, something besides the cold driving her to make this careful, first move. ”It’s getting more than a bit chilly out here, I have to admit” She managed with a chuckle, smiling softly despite the cold, taking an almost nervous step forward.
Hannah: In this world we're forced to make choices everyday. We don't always know the consequences. But it's how we react to them which makes us who we are
Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters“Well, don’t let Hank hear you say that. He’s the one who taught me after all but…” Hank.. Connor was understanding that there was a close bond between the family and Hank, slowly he was hearing names repeated and they were all uncles and aunts somehow, though unrelated they still bore the title. “I’m sure we could rustle you up a cup or two. And you’d be more than welcome.” It hurt really, all these people that were like family and Connor saw them little more then as strangers. It wasn't fair, he wanted to remember them, not just to stop them looking at him as if somewhere inside they were waiting for that spark of recognition, but because Connor wanted that sense of belonging and no matter how welcomed he felt, he still felt as if he didn't know where he was.
”Thank you” Alhtough Racheal spoke, Connor spent that moment longer with his eyes on his father. The feral youth didn't understand sometimes, how could someone who tried so hard and felt so much have been the cause of so much apparent pain in Connors life? Honestly, it hardly seemed like Logan and this father Connor heard about were the same guy. At least not from the point of view he or his siblings recalled. The love was definitely there.. so how did the anger fit in? What was Connor missing, and did he really want to find out? "I’d like that a lot" The strangely bright eyes glanced back to Racheal, the very pale light of the moon seemed enough to cause a shine in the boy's gaze as he watched her displeasure with her socks.
"Though… if we’re going can we go now?" Yes! Connor agreed! And the look he gave his dad as he turned his attention back to the elder of the group expressed his agreement to her request. Somewhere warm, with a hot drink, dry and lake free, how could anyone complain about that? "It’s getting more than a bit chilly out here, I have to admit" Connor rubbed his hands together, maybe he'd mention what happened in the lake later to his dad, well especially about the claws, at the time it killed, felt like he pulled some stiff muscles not including the claws themselves... at least it didn't hurt as much now. A little rub and he was good to go, though it looked like he was mimicking Racheal in her attempts to warm herself up as his hands rubbed against his arms for a moment.
As she moved forward Connor turned about and also began to make his way off the peir, an almost cautious glance was given towards the soft ripples out in the lake. Stupid lake. With a slight sigh Connor let his gaze shift over towards Logan, perhaps he'd not mention it now and wait for when they got into the apartment.. but boy..I'm a little peckish after all this.
Re: Saturday the 17th of March: Lost in Rough Waters
Rachael’s small sneeze didn’t go unnoticed. Colds weren’t something Logan ever had to worry about with his kids but he wasn’t stupid enough to think that the same might be true for Racheal. Feral she might be, but he very much doubted that she an the immune system to rival Connors. All of which meant that the sooner he got her off of the cold pier and into a warm apartment the better.
It seemed that she and Conner were of the same opinion, both of them looking decidedly uncomfortable in their sodden clothes. They’d have to do something about that when they upstairs, try to find something for Rachael to change into… and not something of Madis, well not unless they wanted her to go ballistic that was! No Logan was sure they could scrounge something suitable from the general stock that the Institute kept for new students. She could have a hot shower and change while he washed and dried the ones she had on and…
Logan smiled. It seemed that the crisis had passed if his mind was now back on everyday practicalities like where to get her dry socks and did they have enough milk. He had come to the lake expecting yet another drama and here he was going back to a family night in .. with a friend in tow to boot. It just went to show that not all the surprises life threw at you had to be unpleasant ones. Even if it sometimes felt like it! No every once in a while you got lucky and things turned out right. And when that happened….. you savoured the moment You appreciated the look of quiet excitement and pleasure on your sons face, the way the prospect of warms and sweetness had seemed almost to make Rachael want to purr.
These were all things to be treasured and all the more so because he was actively included in them, his suggestion the cause of this gentle happiness. And that he had to admit felt good. “Come on, then” he said with a smile. “ The sooner we get going the sooner we’ll be sipping that chocolate. And that sounds like a damn fine idea to me.”
..................
End of thread.
There's just somethin' wild inside me pullin' me to do things I don't understand.
I can't figure it. It's like tryin' to explai
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